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Philanthropist and financier George Soros and Gov. David Paterson rolled out a new program that uses a $35 million grant from Soros’ Open Society Institute to leverage another $140 in federal stimulus bucks. The sum will be used for $200-per-student grants to needy families as a “Back-to-School Supplement” intended for school supplies. From the release:

The supplements will be placed in accounts for each eligible family that can be accessed with their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which are normally used to access public assistance and food stamp benefits. Two-thirds of the eligible recipients of the back-to-school supplements are in food stamp-only households, and the majority of these households are low-income working families or families receiving unemployment benefits.

Families can use the money to buy their children books, pencils, pens, notebooks, calculators, backpacks, shoes, tutoring, school uniforms and other clothing and essential school items. Families should look to take advantage of discounts offered by retailers in the coming weeks before school starts. The $175 million in Back-To-School Supplements will provide an economic boost to communities throughout the State as families purchase supplies, bolstering back-to-school retail sales.

UPDATE: A reader notes that the release includes this warm statement from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, despite his reportedly cool initial response to the plan.

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said: “Over the past year in New York City, we’ve attacked the national recession by doing more than ever to connect New Yorkers to employment, job training and the critical financial supports they need. Governor Paterson and I agree that New York’s brightest days are still ahead of us and we will continue to work hard for those in need. George Soros’ generous gift – combined with federal funding – will not only provide welcome assistance as kids head back to school but will also pump money into our local economy at a time when we need it most.”

Read the full release after the jump.

Governor David A. Paterson today announced a historic collaboration with George Soros and the Open Society Institute (OSI) that will provide one-time, $200 grants to more than 800,000 children in low-income families across New York State to help purchase school supplies as they prepare to return to class in September. Families who receive public assistance or food stamps can access this one-time Back-To-School Supplement of $200 per school-aged child (ages 3 through 17) starting today. The Governor was joined by Mr. Soros and other elected officials at P.S. 208 in New York City today to make the announcement.

OSI committed $35 million from its Foundation to Promote Open Society to the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), which oversees programs for low-income families. That commitment triggered the availability of an additional $140 million in federal funding through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) emergency contingency fund that was established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) earlier this year.

“This first-of-its-kind partnership in New York is an example of how the public and private sectors can work together to foster a brighter future for the low-income families of our State,” Governor Paterson said. “These $200 grants will provide thousands of families with a much needed financial boost so that they can better meet the needs of their children as they prepare to go back to school. This partnership is a continuation of my commitment to aggressively identifying opportunities to use economic stimulus funds to help our neediest New Yorkers and to bolster our State’s economy.”

Mr. Soros said: “Even in the toughest of economic times, getting ready for school is important. When I was a student right after World War II, I had no money. I received cash from charities and I remember how important that was to my education. Since then, I have been very fortunate, so I am happy I’ve been given the opportunity today to help others. I hope these funds will relieve some of the financial burden on New York’s families so their children can start the school year off with a measure of optimism and hope for the future.”

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said: “Over the past year in New York City, we’ve attacked the national recession by doing more than ever to connect New Yorkers to employment, job training and the critical financial supports they need. Governor Paterson and I agree that New York’s brightest days are still ahead of us and we will continue to work hard for those in need. George Soros’ generous gift – combined with federal funding – will not only provide welcome assistance as kids head back to school but will also pump money into our local economy at a time when we need it most.”

The supplements will be placed in accounts for each eligible family that can be accessed with their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which are normally used to access public assistance and food stamp benefits. Two-thirds of the eligible recipients of the back-to-school supplements are in food stamp-only households, and the majority of these households are low-income working families or families receiving unemployment benefits.

Families can use the money to buy their children books, pencils, pens, notebooks, calculators, backpacks, shoes, tutoring, school uniforms and other clothing and essential school items. Families should look to take advantage of discounts offered by retailers in the coming weeks before school starts. The $175 million in Back-To-School Supplements will provide an economic boost to communities throughout the State as families purchase supplies, bolstering back-to-school retail sales.

Earlier this year, New York State became eligible for $407 million in TANF contingency funds to help low-income families during unusually difficult economic times – in part due to increased enrollment in the State’s Food Stamp Program, which now stands at an all-time high. The back-to-school initiative continues the State’s effort to maximize its access to federal TANF funding and represents a nearly unprecedented public-private partnership in terms of the number of direct beneficiaries. Federal TANF emergency contingency funds are being used for the back-to-school supplements initiative, and use of these funds is limited to three categories of spending – non-recurring short-term benefits, subsidized employment, or basic assistance.

Families should also check the New York State Consumer Protection Board’s “Stretch Your Dollar” tips at www.consumer.state.ny.us/syde_page.htm <http://www.consumer.state.ny.us/syde_page.htm> , to get ideas on how to make the back-to-school funds buy more while spending less to help their children. Recipients’ eligibility for public assistance, food stamps, child support and medical assistance will not be affected by receiving these one-time Back-To-School Supplements.

The announcement comes just one week after Governor Paterson announced the latest advancement in New York State’s myBenefits website, so that individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and Madison Counties can apply directly for food stamps from any computer with Internet access, at any time convenient for them. An online hub, myBenefits was created to expand access to critical economic supports by creating a single Internet portal for New York State families and community partners to connect with benefits (i.e., public assistance, food stamps, Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, etc.), services and work supports. More information can be found at http://www.mybenefits.ny.gov <http://www.mybenefits.ny.gov> .
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The following statements were provided in support of the back-to-school assistance program:

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “This funding is a smart investment in the futures of our students. Each $200 grant will provide access to much-needed resources and back-to-school supplies so that our students are prepared and ready to learn on their very first day of class.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: “Nothing is more important for our children and for the future of our State than a good education. I am humbled and proud to see leaders at all levels coming together to deliver the resources that our children need for school in these tough economic times. Together, we are working to arm the children of this State with the tools they need for a strong start to the new school year.”

Congressman Charles Rangel said: “No matter where they live, every parent wants their kids to have the books and supplies they need to have a great start the school year. These grants will make a big difference in the lives of many families, allowing them to send their kids off with the tools they need not just to learn, but also to succeed. I want to thank Governor Paterson for his leadership and most of all George Soros for his generosity in partnering with the State in making great use of Recovery and Reinvestment funds from the federal government.”

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke said: “As a Member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I believe that education is the gateway out of poverty. The collaboration between Governor Paterson, George Soros and the Open Society Institute is a tremendous step to ensuring that our children have access to the educational tools that they need. I am hopeful that through these grants, the children of Brooklyn, New York will have the opportunity to start off their school year with confidence the need to excel.”

Congressman Gregory Meeks said: “To have the private sector and public sector come together for these Back-To-School Supplement grants is a major accomplishment. Providing parents the tools they need to facilitate a quality education for their children reinforces the importance of all segments of our society coming together to push student achievement. This kind of partnership must be nurtured and continued.”

Congressman Edolphus “Ed” Towns said: “I am grateful to Mr. Soros and his Open Society Institute for their generous contribution to help underserved students across our State. The funds will ensure that mothers and fathers can send their children back to school with the supplies they need to succeed. As a proud supporter of the Recovery Act, I believe this is further proof that stimulus dollars are reaching and supporting those who need them most.”

Senate President Malcolm A. Smith said: “As fall approaches, students and parents begin to anticipate and prepare for the upcoming school year. Unfortunately for many New Yorkers this can be a stressful time as back to school supplies can be expensive and out of reach for already stretched family budgets. Education is the foundation for the future of our state and its residents, and our students deserve to be prepared with the tools required to attain that education. I would like to thank the Open Society Institute for giving New York $35 million that we will use to obtain matching federal dollars to ensure that our students can make the most of the quality education provided for them in this State.”

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: “Especially during a time when more and more families are finding themselves in need, these funds will help ensure that children will have the resources necessary to return to school ready to learn. These grants, provided by a federal and private partnership, allow families to purchase needed supplies and clothing to prepare students for September, while also stimulating local economies as families shop for these items.”

Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Chair of the Senate Committee on Children and Families, said: “Having pen and paper and a school bag to carry books and homework are essential tools to a student’s preparedness and academic success. This generous gift will make the world of difference to many deserving youth whose parents can’t afford to buy them even the most basic school supplies.”

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, said: “I join Governor Paterson in thanking George Soros and the Open Society Institute for the generous grant in support of education. Each September, the promise of a new school year is tempered for thousands of low income families who struggle to afford their children’s back to school supplies. The OSI grant and the matching federal funds obtained by Governor Paterson will help bring the joy of learning back to those families.”

Senator Daniel Squadron, Vice-Chair of the Senate Social Services Committee, said: “This partnership between State government and George Soros is an example of public life at its best — and it shows how generous individuals and effective government can truly help those who need it most. Mr. Soros’ generosity, combined with State government and federal stimulus dollars, will make a huge difference for thousands of families this school year. I am pleased to have pushed for this program in the State Senate and commend Governor Paterson for making it a reality.”

Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Education, said: “With the first day of school just around the corner, this program will help students start the year off on the right foot by helping to supply them with the school supplies needed to have a successful school year.”

Westchester County Executive Andy Spano said: “Returning to school is an important time for every child. No child should have to go without the tools they need to succeed in the classroom or feel badly because they can’t afford new clothing on that special first day back to school. Thanks to Governor Paterson and George Soros, who remembers what it was like to go without, the families of more than 19,000 children in Westchester will have an extra $200 to help provide these necessities.”

New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein said: “A new school year can be overwhelming enough for families in good economic times. Thanks to this innovative public-private partnership, they won’t have the extra burden of worrying about the cost of basic supplies and their children will have the tools they need to start the year off right.”

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